This course introduces major world religions and the scholarly methods of the academic study of religion. Religions covered may include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and/or New Religious Movements.

Provides an academic overview of major religious traditions of Asia (mainly India, China, and Japan), which may include Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto, and/or Shamanism as well as popular, tribal, or new religions. Students will be assigned both primary and secondary texts.

This is a survey course that will cover major religious traditions of the West, including the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and other religious systems. The course will focus on how each tradition has developed historically and how it exists in the world today.

(Also offered as CLST 319) This course examines issues pertaining to gender and sexuality in ancient Mediterranean religions and cultures, with special attention paid to Greco-Roman religion, Judaism, and Christianity.

(Also offered as CLST 320) This course examines the perception and reality of magic in the ancient Mediterranean world by examining relevant texts, spells, and relics to situate it within the practice of ancient religion.

A historical survey of Buddhist practices, beliefs, material culture, institutions, and figures from the time of the historical Buddha through to the contemporary period.

Studies in major religious figures or movements. Topic varies.

Major religious figures or movements. Topic varies. Prerequisite: one Religious Studies course.

An examination and critique of influential 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century scientific attempts to explain religion in contrast to supernaturalist theories. Also considered are some postmodernist and evolutionary psychology perspectives on religion. Prerequisite: one upper-division course in Religious Studies.

(Also offered as ITAL *475) Principally the Vita Nuova and the Divine Comedy.

Faculty-supervised individual study in an area of special interest not readily available through conventional course offerings. Restriction: permission of program chairperson.

Tutorial arrangement with a member of the graduate faculty.